Safety control for multiple ironing machines



Sept. 22, 1953 J. H. LEEF SAFETY CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE momma MACHINES Filed Feb. 15, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r m B z 5 9 3 E: u .J 5 3 4 7 4 4 4 0 W 4 /.H w 4 p a Sept. 22, 1953 J. H. LEEF SAFETY CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE IRONING MACHINES Filed Feb. 15, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 22, 1953 SAFETY CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE IRONING MACHINES John H. Leef, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application February 15 1950, Serial No. 144,342

8 Claims.

My present invention relates, generally, to safety devices for garment ironers of the type having relatively fixed and relatively movable jaw-acting ironing or pressing shoes. More specifically, my invention relates to safety devices for use in conjunction with a plurality of ironers ofthe type set forth, mounted on a turntable, whereby said ironers may be loaded and unloaded by a single operator positioned in an operators station adjacent said turntable, and

is in the nature of a modification of the invention disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 51,430, filed September 2'7, 1948, and

entitled Safety Control for Multiple Ironing provision of safety devices, as set forth, which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install, and which are efficient in operation and durable in use. c l

Generally stated, the invention consists of the novel devices, combinations of devices, and .ar-

rangement of parts hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several I views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in plan of a multiple ironing structure incorporating my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section,

taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3but showing the different positions of some of the partsyand Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail, partly in plan and partly in side elevation, taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

' Referring with greater detail to the drawings, the numeral I indicates in its entirety a turn table comprising an annular supporting plate 2 secured to a concentric annular hub 3 by means of a plurality of radial arms 4. The plate 2 is reinforced by concentric annular flanges 5 and 6, which depend therefrom at the, inner and outer circumferential edges, respectively. Depending spaced fianges 1 form bearing brackets journalling wheels 8 for rotation on an endless track 9.

Mounted fast on annular supporting plate 2 is a plurality of circumferentially-spaced pressing or ironing devices I0 each having a relatively stationary pressing. shoe II and a relatively movable pressing shoe I2. As shown in Fig. 2, the fixed shoes II are mounted on circumferentially-spaced pedestal-like bases I3. Each shoe I2 is provided with arigid downwardly and rearwardly curved arm I4 which projects rearwardly inwardly of the turntable I and is pivoted at its intermediate portion to its respective base I3, as indicated at I5. At their extreme lower ends, the arms I4 are pivotally secured to the outer ends. of plunger rods I5, as indicated at I1. Each plunger rod has a piston I8 which operates within a cylinder I9 by means of fluid under pressure forced thereinto and allowed to escape therefrom through any suit.-

able means, such as a conduit 20 connected to a conventional three-way valve 2|. A coil compression spring 22 interposed between the piston I8 and one end of the cylinder I9 biases the piston I8 and shoe I2 in a direction to eifect ironing pressure between the shoe I2 and the relatively-fixed shoe II. Fluid under pressure admitted to the cylinder I9 through the conduit 20 moves the piston I8 in a direction to move the relatively movable shoe away from the relatively fixed shoe II. The fluid under. pressure is admitted to each of the three-way valves 2| from a source, not shown, through a radiallyextended conduit or pipe 23, a circumferentiallyextended pipe 24 connected thereto, and relatively short pipes 25 connecting the circumferentially-extended pipe with each of the three- ,way valves 2|.

The valves 2I are each provided with an arm 26 that is connected to one end of a respective lever 21 by means of a link 28. Each of the levers 21 is pivotally secured intermediate their ends to brackets29 rigidly secured to the under surface of the annular plate 2. At its other end, each of the levers 21 has journalled thereto a roller 30 which normally engages the ground or 32. It may be assumed that, when each roller engages the ground or floor below the turntable I, the three-way valve 21 associated therewith is positioned to connect the interior of the cylinder [9 to atmosphere, whereby to permit the spring 22 to move its respective relatively movable shoe into closed pressing engagement with the relatively fixed shoe ll. When each roller 30 rides upon and is moved by the cam track 3|, the valve 2| thereof is positioned to admit fluid under pressure through the conduit 20 to the interior of the cylinder [9, whereby to move the shoe 12 away from engagement of the relatively fixed shoe II, as indicated in Fig. 2. Thus it will be seen that, as each ironer l9 approaches the operators station 32, the shoes II and 12 thereof will be moved to their open position so that an ironed garment may be removed therefrom and a garment to be ironed applied thereto. Upon leaving the operators station 32, the movable shoe [2 of each ironer 10 will be moved to pressing engagement with the relatively fixed shoe ll thereof. The fluid medium used may be of any Well-known type, but, in this instance, air is preferably used.

Heat is supplied to the relatively fixed pressing shoes [I from a source, not shown, through a supply pipe 33 and a central manifold 34, the heating medium preferably being dry steam.

Inlet conduits 35 extend from the manifold 34 to the pressing shoes H and condensate return conduits 36 extend from the relatively fixed shoes II to a portion of the manifold 34, which is connected to a drain pipe or conduit, not shown.

,It will be understood, of course, that the rela tively movable shoes l2 may be heated in the same manner as the relatively fixed shoes ll. The manifold 34 is of the same construction as that disclosed in my pending application, Serial No. 24,571, filed May 1, 1948, now Patent No. 2,556,477, issued June 12, 1951, and entitled Multiple Ironing Machine.

The turntable l is rotated at a relatively low speed by a motor 31 (see Fig. 1), which drives a shaft 38 through speed-reducing connections,

not shown, but contained within a gear box 39. A sprocket wheel 40 is connected to the shaft 38 and positively drives a link chain 41 which extends about and is carried within a channel 42 formed by the outer peripheral portion of l the annular plate 2 and the flange 6. It wiil be noted that the flange B is cross-sectionally L-shaped. The chain 4| is maintained in frictional driving contact with the flange 6 by means of an idler pulley 43 journalled to one arm of a bell crank 44, that is pivoted to a stationary quadrant 45. Pin and socket connections 45 of conventional design are utilized to maintain the idler 43 in a position to tighten the link chain 4|. Obviously, moving the bell crank 44 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Fig. 1 will loosen the link chain 4| in the channel 42. It will be observed that the turntable l rotates in a clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 1, as indicated by arrows.

As above indicated, this invention relates to safety devices for ironers of the type above described. These safety devices are in the nature of a plurality of sweep-like guards 41, one each associated with each of the ironers 10. The guards 41 and operating mechanisms therefor on each ironer are identical. Hence, for the sake of brevity, only one thereof will be described in detail. The sweep 41 associated with a particular ironer I0 is located adjacent the rear end of the ironer with respect to its direction of travel. The guard 41 has rigidly secured thereto, by welding or the like, an arm 48 which is pivotally secured, as indicated at 49, to a bracket 50 mounted on the pedestal 13. As indicated in Fig. 2, the pivotal connection 49 permits swinging movements of the guard 41 in a vertical plane transversely of the direction of rotary movement of the turntable I. A second arm 51 is mounted fast on the arm 48 and projects therefrom in a direction generally radially inwardly with respect to the turntable I. At its free end, the arm 5| is pivotally secured to the upper end of a rigid link 52 which at its bottom end is threaded to receive one end of a turn buckle 53. The turn buckle 53 also has threaded connections with the upper end of a vertically disposed rod 54, which extends downwardly through an aperture 55 in the annular plate 2 and has its lower end pivotally connected to one end of a lever 56, as indicated at 51. The lever 56 is pivoted intermediate its ends to a bracket 58 depending from the annular plate 2 and at its other end is provided with a cam follower in the nature of a roller 59. The roller 59 is adapted to engage the ground or floor below the turntable as shown in Fig. 4, in one position of the lever 56, and is engageable with a relatively stationary cam 60 upon rotation of the turntable l to move the lever 56 to a different position, as shown in Fig. 3. The cam 59 is disposed adjacent the endless circular track 9 in close proximity to the operators station 32. The cam follower 59 is biased toward engagement with the cam 69 by a coil tension spring 5! having its upper end bolted or otherwise secured to the ironer supporting base I3, and its lower end to a collar 62 fast on the link 52. Bias of the spring 6| upon the linkage between the cam follower 59 and the guard 41 causes the guard to move to a position where it intercepts the plane of the top surface of the fixed shoe II when the cam follower 59 is disengaged from the cam 60, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. However, when the cam follower 59 is engaged by the cam 60, the guard 41 is moved to its full line position of Fig. 2 out of the plane of the relatively fixed shoe II and against bias of the spring 6|. It will be noted that the relative positions of the earns 31 and 60 and their length is such that upon rotation of the turntable I, the guard 41 will be moved to its full line position of Fig. 2 out of the plane of the fixed shoe ll prior to movement of the movable shoe 12 away from pressing engagement with the fixed shoe H, as the ironer approaches the operators station; and that the guard 41 will move downwardly into the plane of the fixed shoe H prior to the movement of the movable shoe l2 into pressing engagement therewith upon departure of the ironer from the operators station. This downward movement of the guard 41 forcibly removes the operators hands from between the shoes II and 12 before the ironer closes, whereby to prevent injury to the operator.

In use, operation of the motor 31 causes continuous and uninterrupted rotary movement to e imparted to the turntable 1, whereby to bring the ironers H1 successively into close proximity to the operators station. A each ironer l0 approaches the operators station, its guard 41 moves to the full line position indicated in Fig. 2, after which the relatively movable shoe moves away from pressing engagement with the stationary shoe ll, permitting a garment thereon to be removed and a different garment to be ironed, applied thereto. The rotary movement 'of the turntable l is relatively slow so that ample time is given to the operator to remove garments from the ironer and apply other garments thereto. As each ironer leaves the operators station, its guard 41 is caused to move to the dotted line position indicated in Fig. 2, after which a movable shoe I2 is moved into pressin engagement with the fixed shoe ll, whereby to iron the garment thereon. As above indicated, if the operators hands should remain between the shoes' II and I2 for more than the time allowed, the descending. guard 41 will forcibly remove the operators hands, or at least remind the operator that the hands must be removed. The location of the guards 41 with respect to the planeof thevertical shoes H may be adjusted by manipulation of the turn buckle 53 associated with each link 52 and push rod 54.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the objectives set forth, and while I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that the same is capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

What I claim is.

' 1. In a device of the class described, a track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for traveling movements on said track, driving mechanism for imparting movements to said supporting structure on said track, a garment ironer mounted on' the said supporting structure and comp-rising relatively fixed and movable pressing shoes, relatively stationary cam-acting means adjacent said track, relatively movable means on said supporting structure engageable with said cam-acting means and responsive to movements of the supporting structure on said track to move the movable shoe into and out of pressing engagement with the relatively stationary shoe, a guard mounted on said supportin structure adjacent said ironer for swinging move ments transversely of the direction of movement of said supporting structure into and out of the plane of the pressing surface of said relatively fixed shoe; and guard operating mechanism responsive to movement of said supporting structure on said track for imparting swinging movements to said guard; said guard operating mechanism comprising a cam element and a cam follower'element, one of said elements being moveably mounted on the track-mounted supporting structure and the other thereof being relatively fixedly mounted adjacent the track, and linkage operatively connecting said moveably mounted element to said guard.

- 2. In a device of the class described, an endless track, an operators station adjacent said track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for traveling movements on said track, driving mechanism for imparting movements to said supporting structureon said track with respect to said operators station, :a garment ironer mounted on said supporting structure and comprising relatively fixed and movable pressing shoes, relatively stationary cam-acting means adjacent said track, relatively movable means on the supporting structure engageable with the cam-acting means and responsive to movements of the supporting structure on said track to move themova'ble shoe out of pressing engagement with the relatively stationary shoe when the ironer approaches said operators station, and to move the movable shoe into pressing engagement with the relatively stationary shoe when said ironer moves away from said operators station, a guard mounted on said supporting means adjacent said ironer for swinging movements tnansversely of the direction of movement of said supporting structure into and out of the plane of the pressing surface of said relatively fixed shoe, and means responsive to movement of said supporting structure upon the track for imparting swinging movements to said guard in definite timed relationship to the movements of said relatively movable shoe with respect to said fixed shoe, said guard openating mechanism comprising a cam element and a cam follower element, one of said elements being moveably mounted on the track-mounted supporting structure and the other thereof being relatively fixedly mounted adjacent the track, and linkage operatively connecting said moveably mounted element to said guard.

3. In a device of the class described, an endless track, an operators station adjacent said track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for traveling movements on said track, driving mechanism for imparting movements to said supporting structure on said track with respect to said operators station, a garment ironer mounted on said supporting structure and comprising relatively fixed and movable pressing shoes, relatively stationary cam-acting means adjacent aid track, relatively movable means on the supporting structure engageable with the cam-acting means and responsive to movements of the supporting structure on said track to move the movable shoe out of pressing engagement with the relatively stationary shoe when the ironer approaches said operators station, and to move the movable shoe into pressing engagement with the relatively stationary shoe when said ironer moves away from said operators station, a guard mounted on said supporting means adjacent said ironer for swinging movements transversely of the direction of movement of said supporting structure into and out of the plane of the pressing surface of said relatively fixed shoe, means responsive to movement of said supporting structure upon the track for imparting swinging movements to said guard in definite timed relationship to the movements of said relatively movable shoe with respect to said fixed shoe, said means comprising a relatively stationary cam adjacent said track, a cam follower carried by and located on said supporting structure to be intercepted and moved by said last-mentioned cam, and linkage openatively connecting said cam follower and said guard.

4. In a device of the class described, a track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for traveling movements on said track, driving mechanism for imparting continuous and uninterrupted movements to said supporting structure on said track, a garment ironer mounted on the supporting structure and comprising relatively fixed and movable pressing shoes, relatively stationary cam-acting means adjacent said track; relatively movable means on said supporting structure engageable with said cam-acting means and responsive to movements of the supporting structure on said track to move the movable shoe into and out of pressing engagement with the relatively stationary shoe, a guard mounted on said supporting means adjacent said ironer forswinging movements transversely of the direction of said supporting structure into and out of the plane of the pressing surface of the relatively fixed shoe, yielding means biasingsaid guard in one direction of movement, and means responsive to movement of said supporting structure on the track for imparting swinging movement to said guard against bias of said yielding means, said last mentioned means comprising a cam element and a cam follower element, one of said elements being moveably mounted on the trackmounted supporting structure and the other thereof being relatively fixedly mounted adjacent the track, and linkage operatively connecting said moveably mounted element to said guard.

In a device of the class described, an endless track, an operators station adjacent said track, a supporting structure mounted and guided for traveling movements on said track, driving mechanism for imparting continuous and uninterrupted movements to said supporting structure on said track with respect to said operators station, a garment ironer mounted on said supporting structure and comprising relatively fixed and movable pressing shoes, relatively stationary cam-acting means adjacent said track, relatively movable means on the supporting structure engageable with the cam-acting means and responsive to movements of the supporting structure on said track to move the movable shoe out of pressing engagement with the relatively stationary shoe when the ironer approache said operators station, and to move the movable shoe into pressing engagement with the relatively stationary shoe when said ironer moves away from said operators station, a guard mounted on said supporting means adjacent said ironer for swinging movements transversely of the direction of movement of said supporting structure into and out of the plane of the pressing surface of said relatively fixed shoe, a relatively stationary cam adjacent said track and said operators station, a cam follower on said supporting structure adapted to be intercepted and moved by said cam,

and operating linkage between said cam follower and said guard for moving said guard out of the plane of the relatively fixed shoe upon camimparted movements applied to said follower when the ironer approaches the operators station, said cam being elongated in the direction of travel of said ironer, said cam follower being movable to cause said guard to move into the plane of the relatively fixed shoe when said ironer leaves the operators station, but prior to movement of the relatively movable shoe in the direction of the relatively fixed shoe.

6. In a device of the class described, an endless circular track, a turntable rotatively mounted on said track, mechanism for imparting continuous and uninterrupted movement to said turntable on said track, a plurality of garment ironers mounted on said turntable in circumferentially spaced relationship, each of said ironers comprising relatively stationary and relatively movable shoes, an operators station adjacent said track for application of garments to said ironers and removal of garments therefrom, a plurality of cam followers on said turntable, one each thereof operatively associated with one of said ironers to move the relatively movable shoe into and out of pressing engagement with the relatively fixed shoe thereof, a stationary cam adjacent said track and operators station, said cam being located in the path of travel of said cam followers and elongated in the direction of travel thereof,

said cam being responsive to rotary movements of said turntable to impart movements to said followers to successively and independently move said movable shoes out of pressing engagement with said stationary shoes when said ironers approach said operators station, said cam being of a length to release said followers and permit movement of said movable shoes into pressing engagement with said stationary shoes upon departure of said ironers from the operators staion, a guard on each of said ironers mounted for swinging movements transversely of the direction of movement of the turntable into and out of the plane of the pressing surface of the relatively stationary shoe, a plurality of cam fol lowers, one each operatively associated with one of said guards, a stationary cam adjacent said track and said operators station and lying in the path of travel of said last-mentioned cam followers and engageable therewith to success sively and independently move each thereof to cause said guards to be moved out of the plane of their respective relatively fixed shoes when approaching said operators station, and to cause said guards to be moved into the plane of their respective fixed shoes upon departure thereof from said operators station, but prior to movement of each relatively movable shoe in the direction of its cooperating fixed shoe.

7. In an ironing machine of the class described, a track, a supporting structure mounted on and guided for traveling movements on said track, driving means for imparting traveling movements to said supporting structure on said track, a garment ironer on said traveling supporting structure and comprising a pair of pressing shoes mounted for relative movements between open and closed positions, mechanism for opening and closing the ironer shoes at definite predetermined times relative to the position of the ironer and supporting structure on the track, a guard carried by the traveling supporting structure and mounted adjacent the ironer for movements to and from an operative position between spaced planes of the cooperating working surfaces of the ironer shoes when the shoes are in open positions, and guard operating mechanism responsive to movement of the supporting structure on the track to move the guard to and from its operative position in predetermined timed relation to the position of the ironer on the track, said guard operating mechanism comprising cooperating elements one of which is mounted on the traveling supporting structure and the other of which is relatively fixedly mounted adjacent the track, the said fixedly mounted element being located in the path of travel of the cooperating supporting structure mounted element and causing actuation thereof upon engagement therewith.

8. In an ironing machine of the class described, an endless track, a supporting structure mounted on and guided for traveling movements on said track past an operators station adjacent said track, driving mechanism for imparting movements to said supporting structure on said track with respect to said operator station, a garment ironer mounted on said traveling supporting structure and comprisin a pair of pressing shoes mounted for relative movements between open and closed positions, mechanism for opening the ironer shoes when the ironer approaches said operators station and for closing said ironer shoes when said ironer moves away from said operators station, a guard carried by the traveling supporting structure and mounted adjacent the ironer for movements to and from an operative position between spaced planes of the cooperating working surfaces of the ironer shoes when the shoes are in open positions, and guard operating mechanism responsive to movement of the supporting structure on the track to move the guard to and from its operative position in predetermined timed relation to the closing movements of said ironer, said guard operating mechanism comprising cooperating elements one of which is movably mounted on the traveling supporting structure and the other of which is relatively fixedly mounted adjacent the track, said fixedly mounted element being located in the path of travel of the cooperating movably mounted element and causing movement thereof upon engagement therewith.

JOHN H.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,777,517 Davis Oct. 7, 1930 1,850,404 Le Vasseur Mar. 22, 1932 

